Washing-machine.



PATENTED MAR. 24, 1903.

0. P. LANGASTER. WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC]. 13, 1902.

H0 MODEL.

WITNESSES was uonms Parana co. PHQYO-LHHQ. WASHINGYON, u. c.

UNITED STATES .A'TENT OFFICE.

CHARLES LANCASTER, OF JONESBORO, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- THIRD TO ED A. MINEI-IART, OF JONESBORO, INDIANA.

WASHING- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 723,537, dated March 24, 1903.

MACHINE.

Application filed December 13, 1902. Serial No. 135.053. (No model.)

To all whom, it rncty concern: 7

Beit known that I, CHARLES P. LANCASTER, a citizen of the United States of America, and aresident of Jonesboro,county of Grant,State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Washing-Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved washing-machine; Fig. 2, a vertical longitudinal section thereof; Fig. 3, a transverse section of the machine.

The invention has relation to that class of Washing-machines in which are employed a series of oscillatory rubbing devices mounted in a tub havingasemicircular bottom, the rubbing-surface of the rubbing devices being curved to approximately conform to the curvature of the interior of the tub, so that the clothes will be rubbed back and forth when the rubbing devices are oscillated; and it consists of certain novel features of construction which render the washing operation convenient, easy, and efiectual, as more fully hereinafter set forth.

Referring to the drawings by reference-letters, A designates the tub, which has a substantially semicircular corrugated bottom, and B the rubbers, which are supported in the tub by a horizontal shaft G, extending across the tub midway its length, said shaft being rotatably supported in suitable arms F, pivotally attached to the respective inner sides of the tub. These rubbers consist, essentially, of semicircular plates having their under surfaces conforming, substantially, to the curvature of the bottom of the tub and being corrugated. Each alternate rubber is fastened rigidly to the shaft by set-screw J and the other rubbers are mounted so as to turn freely on the shaft. The loosely-mounted rubbers have their upper ends or hub portions extended upward above the rigidly-secured rubbers, and these extended ends are connected by a transverse rod H,whose ends project beyond the outermost rubbers of the series. The number of rubbers in the series will depend on the size of the tub, it being my intention to employ enough to substantially fill the space between the sides of the tub, a slight space beingleft between the adjacent faces of the rubbers to permit freedom of action and free circulation of water, but

not suflicient to permit the articles of clothing to work up between the rubbers.

.Rigidly secured to the shaft Or, one between each outer rubberand the adjacent side of the tub, are a pair of upright rods D, connected rigidly at theirupper ends bya transverse rod L, by which means the shaft may be rotated in its sockets and the rigidly-secured rubbers may beosoillated back and forth. These uprights D incline toward one end of the tub, so as to bring the rod L within easy reach of aperson standing at one end of the tub. Thus providing for the operation of the machine from the end of the tub leaves the opposite end convenient for the attachment of a wringer.

The projecting ends of the rod H are ongaged by the bifurcated lower ends of a pair of levers E, pivoted upon brackets F, formed of an extension of a. convenient part of the arms F and being so shaped that the pivots of the levers are supported just above'rod H and forward of the uprights D. The upper ends of the. leversE are bifurcated, and in these bifurcations the rod 'L is adapted to work freely.

It will be'observed that when the rod L is grasped and moved back and forth the rigidlymounted rubbers will be oscillated by the rotation of the shaft G, and the loosely-mounted rubbers will be oscillated simultaneously in the opposite direction through the medium of the levers E and the connecting-rod H, the forward movement of the uprights D causing the lower end of levers E to swing in the op posite direction and carry with them the upper ends of the loosely-mounted rubbers, as is evident. By this peculiar arrangement the clothes are subjected to a vigorous rubbing action which will thoroughly clean the clothing. It will also be observed that'this peculiar action is obtained with the expenditure of but little power and with but a comparatively slight movement on the part of the operator, as the required oscillation of the rubbers will be obtained by moving the rod L to a slight distance back and forth.

As will be noted, the arms F extend backward to near the rear end of the tub, where they are pivoted, whereby the Washing apparatus may be readily swung upward and backward out of the tub for the purpose of removing the washed clothing and replacing them by an additional batch of clothes. It will also be seen that by thus supporting the washing mechanism upon the pair of pivoted arms the weight of the mechanism will be thrown upon the clothing being washed,'whereby sufficient pressure upon the clothing will be ob tained without compelling the operator to press downward upon the mechanism.

" Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a washing-machine, the combination of a tub havinga curved corrugated bottom, a shaft extending across the tub, a series of rubbers mounted on this shaft and depending therefrom and having their lower edges curved to substantially correspond with the curvature of the tub, each alternate rubber being rigidly mounted on the shaft and the others being loosely mounted thereon, the loosely-mounted ones having upward-extending parts, a rod connecting these upward extensions, a pair of uprights attached to said shaft to operate the same, a rod connecting the up per ends of these uprights, a lever engaging this rod and also the rod connecting the upward extensions of the rubbers, and means for pivotally supporting said levers, for the purposes set forth.

2. In a washing-machine, the combination of a tub, a pair of arms pivoted near one end thereof and extending toward the other end and having their free ends turned upward, a shaft journaled in said arms, a series of rubbers suspended from said shaft, some of the rubbers being affixed rigidly'to the shaft and the others being mounted loosely thereon, operating-levers connected to said shaft, means connecting the loosely-mounted rubbers, levers pivoted on the upturned ends of said arms and having their lower ends engaging with said means and their upper ends in engagement with the operating-levers, substantially as set forth.

3. In combination, a wash-tub, a shaft extending thereacross, means for supporting this shaft, means for rocking this shaft, aseries of rubbers depending from thev shaft, some of the rubbers being rigidly fastened and others being loosely mounted, a rod connecting the looselymounted rubbers, and means connected to said rod for oscillating the loosely-mounted rubbers in a direction opposite to the rigidly-mounted rubbers, this means being connected to the means for rocking the shaft and being operated simultaneously therewith.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses, this 8th day of December, 1902.

CHARLES P. LANCASTER.

Witnesses:

ELMER E. FRIEDLINE, 'AMOS L. CASEY. 

